I think they talked way too much about the social aspect, and not enough of anything else. Still, I'm intrigued to know what they also have planned for the PS4, and not really surprised about Diablo 3 since that was teased to death months and months ago.

Didn't get to see what it looked like, but that's just a small gripe. Having said that, I couldn't care less what the thing looks like since I want to know if it really can do what Sony says it can.

I'm kind of worried about some of the social aspects of it. If I understood it correctly it'll learn what you like and dislike and predict what game you'll probably buy next and even start preloading it. That to me sounds like a very insidious form of marketing. "Oh go on, buy Uncharted 4, it's already on your PS4 anyway". Especially for families with kids that could be a problem if the feature can't be turned off. As it's basically like the salesman shoving a puppy into the arms of your child.

Not too happy about that. They also seem to think everyone by now has internet connections that actually let you play a game as soon as you buy it and stream the rest. Considering on my connection I get around 600kb/s at best I -really- doubt that'll fly for me.

I already was pretty sure I wasn't going to buy a PS4, but nothing in the show managed to make me even start considering changing that idea.

Overall, I like where Sony's head's at with regards to the design tenants they are trying to embody. Sure, the specs are amazing, but they should be. Good graphics are a pre-requisite to a new console. With maybe the exception of Gamecube to Wii, I've never seen graphics go down in quality from one gen to the next. No surprises or excitement there. What really got me revved up is their development ideology.

They've included game developers outside the company in at (what appeared to be) near-ground level of the development life cycle and that they've actively tried to make the console developer-friendly and more equivalent to the freedom you get on a PC. They are attempting to make things easy for AAA studios and independent developers alike. If the PS4 truly does these things, then owners will see more available games from a greater variety of sources. People talk about how the PS2 was so great, but may not factor it that a large percentage of its greatness was from its 3P developer support.

Most of the social integration stuff I don't really care about. Honestly, I'm not going to continually post my KD ratio to Facebook...I want to keep my non-gamer friends. As long as it's not in the way, I can't really call it a negative thing, especially in the realm of integrating contact lists with social media. Hopefully, that means that they'll get rid of the 100-friend limit (or however large it is) currently being imposed on us.

I do love the idea of the "share" button. In my own opinion, Sony's really showing us how it's responding to legitimate demand in the gaming community. Last year, Microsoft worked legalese into its user agreement which prevented game play footage from being shown on advertised or subscription sites. Rather than attempt to restrict this popular practice, Sony is helping to facilitate it through built-in tools. Also, unlike most socialization touted by other devices, it's focused on something that only core gamers do. Casuals don't care about Let's Plays or Walkthroughs.

The "immediate gameplay" tenant is also something that's nice to hear. Background computing for downloads without sacrificing the game processors is a great idea. While streaming gameplay may have connection issues, how cool would it be for them to have a Netflix-esque service for games (pure speculation)? And don't tell me that when they say they want to have a playable portion of the all games available for trial with the phrase, "only buy what you love" doesn't sound completely refreshing considering most publishers will gladly skew demos/trailers/release dates in the hopes of selling you something they know is terrible (Aliens:Colonial Marines, anybody?)

There are certainly things I didn't like about the presentation (Square Enix, why did you even get any time with nothing substantial to announce?). In fact, most of the non-engine, 3P developer bits I could have done without. Overall, though, I went from not caring about the PS4 to being mildly excited. I rated it a "B".

Afterthought: Why is everyone so obsessed that they didn't show the console itself? It could be vomit-brown and held together by duct tape for all I care (if it delivers on the promises listed above and doesn't fall apart).

Afterthought: Why is everyone so obsessed that they didn't show the console itself? It could be vomit-brown and held together by duct tape for all I care (if it delivers on the promises listed above and doesn't fall apart).

Because it was press event specifically to announce the console and to give us information about the console. If they were just going to hold off until E3, why do this at all?

Also, some people do have space considerations in their living room. If it's a massive beat (like the original PS3) then they'd probably like to know.

Is it download only? Used games? Backwards compatibility to ps3,2,1,psp,vita? Does it even eat disks at all for that matter?Maybe if they jerked off a little less about how they'll "revolutionize gaming" by integrating video streaming and slapping a mini touchscreen on the controller or some shit and actually talked about things that matter, I'd be kindasorta interested.Them making no mention of any of those topics at all only makes me assume the worst.

Afterthought: Why is everyone so obsessed that they didn't show the console itself? It could be vomit-brown and held together by duct tape for all I care (if it delivers on the promises listed above and doesn't fall apart).

Because it was press event specifically to announce the console and to give us information about the console. If they were just going to hold off until E3, why do this at all?

Also, some people do have space considerations in their living room. If it's a massive beat (like the original PS3) then they'd probably like to know.

Fair enough. I certainly know about space issues (my recording studio, practice space, office, bedroom, and living room are the same 10x10 room). I guess I'm assuming that it isn't going to be more than the size of desktop or an old VHS player. Sure, it's speculation, but I doubt it's going to be large enough that small accommodations won't allow it to fit in most living spaces.

Better than I expected. It's a logical step up from the PS3 and they threw in a few other things (like playing something while it's downloading, integrated streaming, that awesome Media Molecule thing) that take it higher, even if I probably won't use them.

It's too bad that two things are happening, though-

1. The community is already really damn cynical.

and

2. We're closing in on that asymptotic roof of development.

People expecting a massive leap between generations are a decade too late. Forever. So I'll take what I can get.

I'm just going to be honest. I'm not a graphics whore so more power just means more going on on-screen to make games look more active. I have never played a motion game that I enjoyed for more than a few minutes at a time, and I hate facebook.

Can you guys just cancel this and mail me the parts to upgrade my PS3 so it'll play PS4 games? No ok then I'll probably buy one in 3-4 years after it comes out then.

Not that big of a graphical leap forward? They are practically jumping forward 9 graphics card generations, moving to six core from single, and adding 8 gigs of standalone memory, thus quadrupling the amount of RAM compared to the PS3. This thing is going to scream.

Can they back it up with good titles? Well, that we will probably have to wait until E3 to see.

I am going by what I saw with my eyes and this is what I conclude: the leap to the PS4 was NOT as big as the leap was to the PS3. That's the truth of the matter, mostly because of graphics reaching a plateau (and thank merciful BUDDHA for that). Plus it's obvious that not ALL of that RAM is going to be used for the games with all those background features taking up estate.

That's because they were demonstrating current gen games.

The Playstation 3 is using the equivalent of a 7 Series GeForce Card, a Single Core Processor, and 256 MB System Memory with 256 MB of Graphics Memory.

The Playstation 4? Is using the equivalency of a mid-range 6 series GeForce (like the GeForce 660) (Yes... that's 9 full graphics processors ahead of its predecessor), a Six Core processor that is leaps and bounds faster than the PS3, and 8 Gigs of Physical System Memory.

The difference is HUGE, and they didn't do a very good job of demonstrating how good games can look on a system like that, and how fluid those good looking games can possibly run. And all that crammed into a package that is likely to sell for less than 500 bucks.

And I wouldn't be so sure about the console's background processes. Windows, for example, when idle runs at 1 gig of system memory, and consoles have historically used less, because really all they do is play games. Even with an app that ties to say... Facebook, if it isn't plugged into an operating system like Windows (which it won't be), it won't use more than one hundred megabytes of system memory.

Considering that they're planning on putting an engine like Unreal 4 on the thing... which is an AMAZING engine... that's going to take a lot of processing power,and this system looks ready to handle it. Which is awesome at the price point.

Except it isn't.

PS3 geforce 7Geforce 8/9 - both the sameGeforce 200Geforce 400/500 - both the sameGeforce 600 current - equilvant to what's in the PS4

If I'm honest, I'm quite impressed that they're releasing it THIS YEAR. Microsoft won't be nearly able to compete with that. However, that being said, the PS4 doesn't look like it's doing much new, or at least, not risky. I guess that's what you have to do when you're $4billion in debt.

i had 0 expectations. i didnt wait for the even or anything. therefore i was pleasantly surprised. so i rated it B. they hyped a lot and i probably got more details from the forums than from SONY, but so far it looks like they are trying to be on part wuth current gen high end PCs with perspectives (DDR5 ram) so i expect a huge leap in graphics on PC due to this. well this is assuming Xbox720 will arrive in similar time, but it would be quite stupid not to let it out of the box now.

- I gave it a B. I wanted answer to the inclusion of touchpad to the controller. I'm hoping its not (and I quote YZ) "solution looking for a problem" like Wii U tablet controller.

- I was kind of disappointed to see another Infamous title mainly because I loved Infamous 1&2 and it wrapped up the story well. The game seemed like it could have easily been a new IP but they decided to stick the name 'Infamous' to it. But I enjoyed all SP's games so I'm optimistic.

- Knack looked promising out of all Sony Exclusives announced. Its art style and the release of NiNoKuni makes me think "How would Pixar do if they decided to partake on interactive story telling". Pixar should definitely think about it.

- They didn't show the hardware design but I'm sure it wont be an eyesore. I'm not worried too much about it.

In conclusion, I kept my expectation low (as always) for this event and ended up pleasantly surprised.

Saving my pennies. PS3 clearly overtook the 360 in terms of quality exclusives, and I don't see that trend reversing in the next generation. If anything, I'm seeing a bare Microsoft cupboard beyond Halo and Gears. Plus we'll likely see 1-2 years of "better than high-end pc" graphics (NOT because it's stronger than a PC - try not to wet yourselves, fellow pc gamers). Plus plus I'm cutting the cord on Xbox Live this gen. I was "invested" to this point, but I'm done paying for what should be free - and having to pay more every time they add another otherwise free feature.

Didn't see all of it, but there was some impressive stuff. It's always easy to add "for a console" to that, but you know, some people don't give a shit about amazing graphics. It's really not enough to sell me on the PS4 immediately, but a lot of it looked okay (while some of it looked like total lies :D).

1) The PS3 still has three more years left in it. Why should we buy the PS4 if you aren't even confident enough in the PS3 to see it through to the end?2) Why release this console so closely? That makes no goddamn sense. The only reason to have the conference BEFORE E3 is because the release was slated for a few years from now, and you wanted to reserve E3 for the PS3 and VITA. THAT at least makes sense. But this? 3) The PS4 is the Sony PlayBox 360. SMOOTH. Very, very smooth. 4) InFamous on the PS4? I've been waiting for years and you put it on a console I won't be able to buy for a long, long while. Thank you, jackasses. 5) No KH3 and no FFvXIII in lieu of a next gen Final Fantasy. Another poignant dick move.6) Tell me, why should I even bother with games anymore if this is how it's going to be now?

Don't care about the graphics, especially don't care for the tones that David Cage and Jonathan Blow used in their presentations, mildly interested in some of the features of the controller. But all that pales in comparison to my concerns about the internet connectivity of the console. Specifically, if the presentation is to believed, those of us without a steady internet connection won't just miss out on the online experience.

We'll have an entire button at our fingertips rendered useless.

I get that this is 2013, and always on internet connectivity is demanded of by everyone and expected by most gadget consumers. But in my little slice of the country, broadband coverage is patchwork at best. Not every game demands to have constant updates on how your friends are doing or where you rank on the leaderboards. Similarly, not every gamer demands online multiplayer components be added to every title that comes out.

I'll put this as clearly as I can, console makers. The more you try to turn your TV-connected game box into an iPad, the more you'll be encouraging me to head back to my TI-83+.

im going to be honest it was a bit meh for me. thats no fault of Sony but since ive semi joined the PC gaming master race i do feel a bit apathetic about it, i may buy it at some point but its definately not something thats got me doing back flips in excitment

The Watch Dog news is old, didnt that demo come out last E3? The pad looks the same apart from the screen that so small i dont know if there is really any point to it. An nor, from what i remember, did they even discuss the pad in any length. Whats that screen for? What can it do? Very underwhelmed game wise, nothing screamed "Wow, see you couldnt play this game on an PS3." An showing multi platform titles like Watch Dogs isnt a good idea when showing off your console.

But then, i guess this was a taster. Seemed a bit rushed, but with all those leaking photos etc they had to do it that way. I think E3 will really sell it. More actual gameplay footage and demos of the console.

Meh probably sums it up for me. There was a lot of stuff about the developer side of the console, and while that's definitely a good thing for developers, for me as a simple gamer it doesn't really mean anything. The increased focus on using the PS4 as a hub for a gaming-oriented social network didn't surprise me - with the increased integration of things like Facebook into current-gen devices, it kind of makes sense for Sony to try and craft a network of their own. The whole spiel about trying to eliminating download times and pre-loading game data of stuff you might want to play so you can just drop into it sounds like a big promise that Sony might not manage to live up to for a year or so, but we shall have to wait and see. The games that were announced were also a point of little interest. A couple of generic first-person shooters, a driving game, standard action types, a cutesy platformer... with the exception of Watch Dogs, it all looked a little standard.

Final observations: Square-Enix were pitiful. They showed off the tech demo from last E3 again and had an announcement to reveal that they will be making an announcement later this year. Superb. Also, I was massively surprised to see Blizzard up there. They gave easily the most spirited announcement, for Diablo III on PS4, but I do hope they take it as a chance to sort out the kinks reported in the PC version.

Some pre-rendered cutscenes, wow."gameplay" without a visible player or any way to determine it's not pre-rendered.Promises of social media services.Someone holding a PS3 gamepad with a black square taped to the center.Some devs voicing their excitement that they're working for money.The specs don't mean anything because we can only estimate the performance based on what we know on PCs

I liked most of what I saw. The games, however sexy looking, didn't really show me anything that I haven't already seen gameplay wise. It's extremely early, of course, but I'm not seeing much that's next gen other than the graphics.

Can it play ps3 games? Was meh for me. I mean im excited and probably going to buy it, but this event just wasnt that great. Also that square enix vid is pretty old tooI watched that on this site quite awhile ago.

The Playstation 3 is using the equivalent of a 7 Series GeForce Card, a Single Core Processor, and 256 MB System Memory with 256 MB of Graphics Memory.

The Playstation 4? Is using the equivalency of a mid-range 6 series GeForce (like the GeForce 660) (Yes... that's 9 full graphics processors ahead of its predecessor), a Six Core processor that is leaps and bounds faster than the PS3, and 8 Gigs of Physical System Memory.

The difference is HUGE, and they didn't do a very good job of demonstrating how good games can look on a system like that, and how fluid those good looking games can possibly run. And all that crammed into a package that is likely to sell for less than 500 bucks.

And I wouldn't be so sure about the console's background processes. Windows, for example, when idle runs at 1 gig of system memory, and consoles have historically used less, because really all they do is play games. Even with an app that ties to say... Facebook, if it isn't plugged into an operating system like Windows (which it won't be), it won't use more than one hundred megabytes of system memory.

Considering that they're planning on putting an engine like Unreal 4 on the thing... which is an AMAZING engine... that's going to take a lot of processing power,and this system looks ready to handle it. Which is awesome at the price point.

...Okay, all that technical jargon you just spouted, you just wasted your time because I have NO CLUE WHAT YOU JUST SAID. It literally came off like hearing the trumpet-voiced adults in Peanuts All the stuff they showed like Deep Down, Killzone 4, and Infamous 3, yeah, it was an improvement over what the PS3 can do, but it wasn't as big a leap as the PS2 was to the PS3. And thank freaking Buddha for that because it means graphics are finally reaching a plateau

Alright... in simplicity: No, Graphics are not reaching a Plateau. :)

You can YouTube Unreal 4's technical demos, many of which are not pre-rendered cinematics, and look really really neat, and all of which would turn the Playstation 3 into a smoldering pile of ash in even attempting to render it.

Graphics are reaching a plateau around about now (as in, current PC tech), like i can't see how games will look vastly better than crysis 3 PC (very high) does. But youtube videos hit a plateau of showing what games can look like with current gen consoles. Which is why 'PC doesn't look any different' to people who don't own a PC capable of 1080p gaming. Youtube videos are blurry at best, and ill suited to anything more than 720p - even the 1080p videos are poor representations of the details in games like Crysis 3.

The PS4 will look much better than the PS3 'in the flesh', because the PC already does even with ports! Crysis 3 PC level graphics as a abseline for the next gen would be a very, very high baseline to work with,

My main issue is that they really don't seem to be using gpu physics much to enhance interactivity :( but that'll come with time.

It was disappointing, im also annoyed that everything has to be linked to Twitter and Facebook - no other social sites, just those two. Games were very blah, just sequels and multi platform games. Like Watch Dogs - looks amazing but will be released on everything. Where are the awesome exclusives for PS4, games that raise the bar in gameplay than just look nicer. PS3 had great grapics, now i want new experiences. Like with Ghost Recon games, they give you an open city but you cant go where ever you want to, still stuck to corrider shooting with the odd hub here and there. I want a massive WW2 FPS with huge maps where you make your own way from a-b any way you want via streets, buildings or whatever. But we wont get that, just more CoD games with slightly better graphics.

So yeah, wasnt wowed at all. But im sure they are only saving the big stuff for E3 for when MS show off the new xbox. Im sure all the good stuff relating to PS4 is being kept secret until then.

robert022614:Can it play ps3 games? Was meh for me. I mean im excited and probably going to buy it, but this event just wasnt that great. Also that square enix vid is pretty old tooI watched that on this site quite awhile ago.

Actually the best part about the PS4 is that being closer to a PC it will be easy to develop on. From what i can remember every single PS console has been difficult to develop on. Now, we will have quality looking games straight away instead of a few years down the line when developers get used to the thing.